Fast-growing international mooring and anchoring specialist Mooreast Holdings Ltd., could bring at least 100 jobs to Aberdeen after signing a collaboration agreement which it is hoped will help the company realise its ambition to open a subsea foundation production facility in the Granite City. 

Once secured, the site, which will also support the consolidation and assembly of mooring components, will act as a European base for Mooreast’s efforts to target an increasing number of offshore wind projects, including the ScotWind auction, the Celtic Sea Cluster and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) project, which are expected to deliver over 20 GW, 5 GW and 4.5 GW of floating wind energy respectively. 

The company is working with ETZ Ltd, the private sector-led and not for profit body spearheading the North East of Scotland’s energy transition ambition. The collaboration agreement signed with ETZ Ltd aims to identify a potential location for the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Aberdeen, Scotland. 

The organisation will also help Mooreast in developing a skills and jobs plan that will support local job opportunities.

Sim Koon Lam, CEO of Mooreast, said: 
“Upon completion, the facility will serve as a cornerstone of Mooreast’s expansion into Europe, and will enable us to produce high-quality products and services for our renewable energy customers in the region.”

The collaboration agreement to explore establishing a manufacturing facility in Aberdeen, Scotland, was signed at a ceremony at the Singapore headquarters of Mooreast, and was witnessed by Ivan McKee, Scotland’s Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise.

He said: 
“It is great to witness the signing of this collaboration agreement. As the world’s largest floating offshore wind leasing round, ScotWind puts us at the forefront of the global development of offshore wind and represents a massive step forward in our transition to net zero.

“As set out in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation and our Inward Investment Plan, it is critically important that we work closely with inward investors by offering our unique ‘Team Scotland’ approach to support their growth and expansion into Scotland, enabling us to deliver inclusive economic prosperity.”

Andy Rodden, ETZ Ltd’s Offshore Renewables Director, who was also present for the signing, added: 
“Mooreast’s intention to explore establishing significant operations in Aberdeen is warmly welcome and testament to the critical mass this region has in the skills and expertise required to support such an exciting development. 

“Owing to a world-class oil and gas sector, our region is home to 75% of the world’s subsea engineering capability and the highest concentration of energy supply chain companies anywhere in the UK. 

“We are at the very early stages of this particular process, but this potential development reflects the type of investment that will help us realise this ambition. I’m therefore delighted we will be working closely with Mooreast on a range of areas as we seek to secure a positive outcome.” 

The collaboration agreement confirms Singapore Exchange Catalist-listed Mooreast and ETZ Ltd will work closely on the following areas, amongst others, to help secure a positive outcome in terms of:

• Developing a preferred site plan to meet the requirements of Mooreast that is compatible with local planning regulations, development requirements and site limitations
• Delivering a jobs and skills plan to secure a workforce ready to support the effective operation of a facility whilst creating employment opportunities for local communities aligned with just transition principles
• Facilitating introductions to key local supply chain companies required to support the start- up and future operation of the preferred site

KeyFacts Renewable Energy Directory: Mooreast   l   KeyFacts Energy news: Aberdeen Focus